Maryland is the only state to regulate hospital stay costs and has much less expensive healthcare as a result. In a 2018 commonwealth study, Maryland ranked 20th in the nation for healthcare overall and is ranked 3rd out of all the states for high out-of-pocket costs. In addition to affordable healthcare, the natural and historic attractions make up a rich local culture, and a mild climate and numerous outdoor activities all combine to make the state attractive to retiring seniors.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Maryland
Researching as many assisted living communities as possible before choosing one is an important step which shouldn’t be overlooked. See our directory of 597 assisted living facilities in the state of Maryland to start that process. Locate information about amenities, size of the facility, pricing, health insurance, and more using the tool below.
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How to Pay for Assisted Living in Maryland
Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in Maryland and 34 additional cities within Maryland.
How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Maryland
Due to inflation, many states saw senior living costs increase. In Maryland, the cost of assisted living rose 10.5%, jumping from $4,613 in 2022 to $5,091 in 2023, which is higher than the national rate increase of 10%. The neighboring states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia saw significant rate increases of 19% and 23%, respectively.
Projections show that assisted living costs in Pennsylvania are expected to rise slightly in 2024 to $5,153. While both Virginia and Delaware noted decreases in assisted living costs from 2022 to 2023, these rates are expected to increase in 2024 by 9% and 6.5%, respectively.
Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
Maryland | $4,613 | $5,091 | $5,153 |
U.S. Average | $4,070 | $4,459 | $4,802 |
Delaware | $5,264 | $4,587 | $4,885 |
Virginia | $4,641 | $4,604 | $5,013 |
West Virginia | $4,198 | $5,173 | $5,183 |
Pennsylvania | $3,908 | $4,653 | $5,016 |
Assisted Living Costs in Maryland's Top Cities
Assisted living costs vary significantly across the state of Pennsylvania. For instance, assisted living costs in the city of Baltimore are $1,723 higher per month than costs in the smaller city of Frederick. In Rockville, monthly assisted living costs are $5,030, which is on par with the state average costs of $5,091 per month. Assisted living costs in Annapolis, the state capital, are $122 lower than the state average.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living
Senior living costs are often based on the types of services provided. In Pennsylvania, independent living is the most affordable option at $3,484 and is ideal for seniors who can care for themselves. Those requiring supportive services, such as assistance with daily activities, may opt for assisted living, which averages $5,091 per month. Seniors facing memory loss issues may require specialized memory care services, which cost slightly more than assisted living, at $5,489 per month.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Maryland
Elderly, disabled and low-income residents of Maryland are eligible for medical payment assistance. Maryland has several programs available to help assist long-term care expenses, including the cost of assisted living facilities.
Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program
Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provides the Senior Assisted Living Group Home subsidy for elder residents of Maryland that are in need of assisted living but require financial assistance to avoid moving into a nursing home. The subsidy will pay a licensed, registered assisted living facility up to $650 a month, while residents will give the facility all of their income minus a $60 monthly allowance deduction. The subsidy covers the costs of services provided in assisted living, such as meals, 24-hour supervision and personal care for frail residents who desire to live as independently as possible.
Who Is Eligible?
An applicant must be 62 or older and in medical need of assistance with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Financial eligibility requirements include a maximum asset limit of $11,000 for single adults or $14,000 for a couple. Additionally, monthly income must be under 60% of the state median income.
How to Apply
Contact your nearest Area Agency on Aging to discover program availability and to request an application.
HCBS Waiver
The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver provides financial assistance to those living in the community or assisted living facilities who are in need of skilled care for 1 or more ADLs. There are enough funds to support a maximum of 3,000 participants.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is determined based on age, health, and income. Applicants must be over age 50 and meet long-term care admission requirements like needing ADL assistance. There are strict income guidelines, as this program is federally funded. The maximum monthly income is 300% of the SSI maximum and applicants may have no more than $2,000 in assets.
How to Apply
The first step to receive the HCBS waiver is to apply for Medicaid by calling 1-855-642-8572 or by visiting Maryland’s Medicaid website. If you have already applied for Medicaid, please contact your nearest Area Agency on Aging for a referral to the HCBS waiver program.
More Ways to Finance Assisted Living
Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.
- Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.
- Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Maryland
Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP)
The CHSP program provides special services for those needing care with activities of daily life (ADLs). Residents of low and moderate income senior apartments can apply for daily or weekly assistance with chores, daily meals, and personal services as well as service management.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for CHSP, a resident of Maryland must be at least 62 years old, require assistance with at least one ADL, require housing assistance and be able to function in the facility. A spouse may also qualify, if they are at least 55 years old and meet other criteria for eligibility. A person or couple must also qualify based on income. Income must not exceed $2,861 a month ($3,741 for couples), and a person may not have resources greater than $27,375 ($35,587 for a couple).
How to Apply
Due to limited funding, there may be a waiting list. Not all counties currently participate in the program; inquire about availability with your local Senior Information and Assistance Office at (800) 243-3425.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Maryland maintains a Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) program. A primary function of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints made regarding problems with long-term care facilities. Additionally, the LTCO provides resources and assistance in areas such as:
- Educating residents, family and facility staff on a variety of issues
- Referrals and information to assist residents in resolving complaints on their own
- Consulting with facilities to improve the quality of life for residents
- Providing recommendations to facilities when complaints are lodged
- Following up with complaints against staff and facilities
- Problems with Medicaid and other senior service agencies
To reach your local LTCO, click here to find your nearest office.
Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is a network of hundreds of governmental, private, and nonprofit organizations across America that provide various services to elders and those with disabilities. Services include protective services, referrals to medical, housing and financial assistance, transportation, and other senior programs.
Maryland Area Agency on Aging | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission | 125 Virginia Avenue Cumberland, MD 21502 |
(301) 777-5970 |
Cecil County Department of Community Services | 200 Chesapeake Boulevard, Suite 2550 Elkton, MD 21921 |
(410) 996-5295 |
Howard County Office on Aging and Independence | 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, 2nd Floor Columbia, MD 21046 |
(410) 313-6410 |
Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities | 2666 Riva Road Annapolis, MD 21401 |
(410) 222-4464 |
Charles County Aging and Human Services | 8190 Port Tobacco Road Port Tobacco, MD 20677 |
(301) 934-9305 |
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services | 401 Hungerford Drive, 3rd Floor Rockville, MD 20850 |
(240) 777-3000 |
Baltimore City Division of Aging and Care Services | 417 E. Fayette St., 6th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202 |
(410) 396-4932 |
Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester MAC, Inc. | 909 Progress Circle Salisbury, MD 21804 |
(410) 742-0505 |
Prince George’s Department of Family Services | 6420 Allentown Road Camp Springs, MD 20748 |
(301) 265-8450 |
Baltimore County Department of Aging | 611 Central Avenue Towson, MD 21204 |
(410) 887-2594 |
Frederick County Department of Aging | 1440 Taney Avenue Frederick, MD 21702 |
(301) 600-1605 |
Queen Anne’s County Area Agency on Aging | 104 Powell Street Centerville, MD 21617 |
(410) 758-0848 |
Calvert County Office on Aging | 450 West Dares Beach Road Prince Frederick, MD 20678 |
(410) 535-4606 |
Garrett County Area Agency on Aging | 104 East Center Street Oakland, MD 21550 |
(301) 334-9431 |
St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services | 41780 Baldridge Street Leonardtown, MD 20650 |
(301) 475-4200 |
Caroline, Kent, Talbot Upper Shore Aging, Inc. | 100 Schauber Road Chestertown, MD 21620 |
(410) 778-6000 |
Harford County Office on Aging | 145 North Hickory Avenue Bel Air, MD 21014 |
(410) 638-3025 |
Washington County Commission on Aging | 535 E. Franklin Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 |
(301) 790-0275 |
Carroll County Bureau of Aging and Disabilities | 125 Stoner Avenue Westminster, MD 21157 |
(410) 386-3800 |
Veterans Affairs
The United States Veterans Department provides many services to those who have served in the armed forces. Retired veterans could be eligible for housing assistance, medication and hospital costs, counseling, educational and mortgage assistance.
VA Office | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Aberdeen Outstation | 223 W. Bel Air Avenue Aberdeen, MD 21001 |
(410) 272-6771 |
Baltimore Vet Center | 1777 Reisterstown Road Suite 199 Baltimore, MD 21208 |
(410) 764-9400 |
Prince George’s County Vet Center | 7905 Malcolm Road, Suite 101 Clinton, MD 20735 |
(301) 856-7173 |
Dundalk Vet Center | 1553 Merritt Blvd Dundalk, MD 21222 |
(410) 282-6144 Or
(877) 927-8387 |
Elkton Vet Center | 103 Chesapeake Blvd. Suite A Elkton, MD 21921 |
(410) 392-4485 |
Salisbury Outstation | 926 Snow Hill Road, Building 3 Salisbury, MD 21804 |
(410) 912-7263 |
Silver Spring Vet Center | Suite 100, 2900 Linden Lane Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
(301) 589-1073 |
Annapolis Vet Center | 100 Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 |
(410) 605-7826 |
Charlotte Hall Veterans Home | 29449 Charlotte Hall Rd. Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 |
(301) 884-8171 or
(800) 522-8387 |
Southern Prince George’s County Community Based Outpatient Clinic | 5801 Allentown Road Camp Springs, MD 20746 |
(301) 423-3700 |
Cumberland VA Outpatient Clinic | 200 Glenn Street Cumberland, MD 21502 |
(304) 263-0811 ext. 5130 |
Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic | 830 Chesapeake Drive Cambridge, MD 21613 |
(410) 228-6243 Or
(877) 864-9611 |
Charlotte Hall MD Community Based Outpatient Clinic | 29431 Charlotte Hall Road Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 |
(301) 884-7102 |
Loch Raven VA Outpatient Clinic | 3901 The Alameda Baltimore, MD 21218 |
(410) 605-7650 Or 410-605-7650 |
Perry Point VA Medical Center | VA Medical Center Perry Point, MD 21902 |
(410) 642-2411 |
Baltimore VA Medical Center | 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 |
(410) 605-7324 |
Social Security Offices
Maryland’s Social Security Offices offer another great resource for seniors seeking guidance and assistance. Reach out to them to learn about your retirement, survivors, and social security benefits.
Social Security Office Address | County | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
7401 Forbes Blvd Lanham MD |
Prince George’s County | (800) 772-1213 |
6120 Allentown Rd Suitland MD |
Prince George’s County | (800) 772-1213 |
828 Airpax Rd Cambridge MD |
Dorchester County | (888) 347-9277 |
28 Allegheny Ave #400 Towson MD |
Baltimore County | (410) 965-6414 |
5 Park Center Ct, Ste 100 Owings Mills MD |
Baltimore County | (800) 772-1213 |
8865 Stanford Blvd Columbia MD |
Howard County | (800) 772-1213 |
2414 Northgate Dr. Ste 1 Salisbury MD |
Wicomico County | (866) 273-5083 |
6100 Wabash Ave Baltimore MD |
Baltimore City | (800) 772-1213 |
5340 Spectrum Dr, Ste N Frederick MD |
Frederick County | (866) 331-7089 |
217 Glenn St. Cumberland MD |
Allegany County | (866) 964-7409 |
125 Airport Dr Westminster MD |
Carroll County | (800) 772-1213 |
101 Chesapeake Blvd, Ste A Elkton MD |
Cecil County | (866) 331-2218 |
6401 Security Blvd, #900 Gwynn Oak, MD |
Baltimore County | (410) 944-3930 |
9108 Back Drop Dr. Perry Hall, MD |
Baltimore County | (206) 553-1001 |
High Pine Ct., #1220 Cockeysville, MD |
Baltimore County | (410) 966-1162 |
15 Governors Ct Windsor Mill, MD |
Baltimore County | (410) 298-7031 |
315 N Washington St. Rockville, MD |
Montgomery County | (800) 772-1213 |
180 Admiral Cochrane Dr. Annapolis, MD |
Anne Arundel County | (410) 897-9217 |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Maryland
Maryland’s Department of Health defines and enforces strict regulations regarding assisted living. Different areas of regulation include staffing requirements like training and background checks, medication management, and facility requirements.
Assisted Living Negotiated Service & Admissions Agreements
A negotiated resident agreement must be completed with every resident 30 days prior to admission using the Resident Assessment Tool. Information in this agreement includes:
- Initial Uniform Assessment findings such as height, weight, and medications
- The scope of care needed for the resident
- Financial information like costs of services to be provided
- Physicians orders and the patient’s medication list
- Overnight supervisory requirements or electronic devices used to monitor residents overnight
- Other identified needs
Assisted Living Admission Requirements
There are limitations on the level of care that can be provided in an assisted living facility (ALF). Individuals that are determined to be a public safety risk, such as carriers of infectious diseases, may not be admitted into an ALF. Assisted living facilities are designed for residents who want to live in an apartment-style residence but require assistance with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs).
Assisted Living Scope of Care
ALFs in Maryland may provide care based on three levels of services: Low, moderate, and high. The levels of care are used to define service requirements such as medication assistance and behavioral concerns like wandering. A resident who needs assistance with 2 ADLs or less are low or moderate, further assistance would require an approved waiver to keep the resident in the facility, proving that the extra care would not cause problems for other residents or undue stress on the staff.
Residents are able to contract with third-party services to received specialized care while remaining in the ALF. Any third party provider must be included in the resident agreement.
Assisted Living Medicaid Policy
Elderly or disabled residents of Maryland may qualify for assisted living reimbursement through the HCBS waiver program, and they must qualify for level II or III service needs. These residents will be provided with 24-hour supervision and will receive a visit by an RN every 45 days to verify service requirements are being met.
Assisted Living Facility Requirements
Residents may live in single or double occupancy rooms with a minimum of 80 or 120 feet of functional space, respectively. Restrooms with locking doors must be provided, with at least one toilet for every four residents. There must be one bathtub for every eight residents.
Medication Management Regulations
There are strict protocols regarding medication management in an ALF. Residents using over 9 medications, including over-the-counter medications will have their prescriptions evaluated every 6 months by an RN or pharmacist. All trained staff must document the length and scope of their training. In the event that an untrained person assists in the taking of medication, the event must be documented as well as why they weren’t required to take training prior to assisting the resident.
Staffing Requirements
There is no minimum staff to resident ratio in Maryland, but there must always be staff available. Residents that need supervision overnight must be provided access to a 24/7 supervising staff member. If there is a resident with overnight care needs or supervision requirements, there must always be at least one staff member awake in the facility. As long as there are no night care orders, staff may sleep at night, ready to awaken if needed. If a doctor orders, a resident may be provided an electronic monitoring device instead, and this must be included in the resident’s plan.
There must always be a staff member on-site, and a registered nurse must be contracted with the ALF as a delegating nurse to oversee services through a visit every 45 days. On-site nurses are required only by doctor’s orders. The ALF manager must be on-site or available on call at all times.
Staff Training Requirements
All residential care staff are required to undergo orientation training as well as continued education while they work in an ALF. Training is to include CPR and first aid by a certified instructor and other topics such as fire safety, infection control, and the health psychosocial needs of older adults.
Assisted living facility managers are required to have at least a high school diploma, and a 4-year degree for facilities licensed for level III services. The manager of any ALF with 5 or more beds must complete an additional ALF manager training program. This program must be at least 80 hours long with no more than 25 of those hours being online or through mail correspondence. Topics in management training include the aging process, clinical management, assisted living philosophies, and appropriate staffing management.
Background Checks for Assisted Living
Background checks and criminal history screens are required to be completed by all staff 30 days prior to employment at any ALF in Maryland. Applicants to work in an ALF can have no criminal convictions or criminal history indicating behavioral concerns that could pose a threat to residents.
Requirements for Reporting Abuse
A staff member or licensee of an ALF is required to report any witnessed or otherwise perceived abuse, neglect or financial exploitation to the proper authorities within 24 hours. All reports are made to the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality, the appropriate law enforcement agency, and the local Area Agency on Aging or Department of Aging. A penalty of up to $1,000 is made on any staff that does not comply with this law. Upon investigation, referrals may be made to the State Attorney General or the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. To report abuse, contact your local LTC Ombudsman.
Maryland COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities
Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/8/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.
COVID-19 Rules in Maryland | |
---|---|
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit? | No |
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents? | Yes |
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities? | Yes |
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community? | Yes |
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons? | Yes |
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community? | No (Conditions Apply) |
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings? | No |
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms? | Yes |
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply |
Sources: coronavirus.maryland.gov www.cdc.gov
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